Drum tuning device



April 24, 1951 D. E. HULL 2,550,249

DRUM TUNING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2, 1948 y 2 Sheets-Sheen'I 1 ATTE! RN EY April 24, 1951 D. E. HULL 2,550,249

DRUM TUNING DEVICE Filed Nov. 194e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 24, 12951 UNITED STATES `PATENT* GFF'ICE DRUM TUNING DEVICE Delbert E. Hull, Watsonville, calif.

Application November 2, 1948, Serial No. 57,889 1 claim. .(ol. iii-411.1) i

This invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly a drum tuning device.

g rThe primary object of this invention resides in the provision of means whereby tension on drum heads is regulated by manual manipulation of a single master element.

Another object of this invention resides-'inthe provision of a drum head retaining band adapted to be quickly and evenly raised and lowered relative to the body of the drum by manual operation of a single key to regulate tension on the drum head to obtain various tones from the drum.

A further object of this invention resides in the particular combination of the drum head tensioning elements.

A still further object of this invention resides in the combination of the drum head tensioning band and cooperating elements thereof.

Aside from the aforesaid objects, this invention resides in the particular construction of the drum head tensioning band.

In addition to the foregoing objects, this invenn tion resides in the particular means for securing the drum head to the body of the drum.

Among the many objects of this invention is the provision of a drum tuning device consisting of cooperating elements so disposed that vibration of the same is eliminated regardless of tension of the drum head.

In addition to those objects heretofore set forth, this invention resides in the provision of a saddle disposed on the upper edge of the drum head tensioning band to protect it from becoming damaged by contact with the upper edge of said band.

One of the salient features of this invention resides in the provision of a single key tuning device adapted to be disposed on all types of drums whereby the paramount functions of this invention may be practiced.

With these and other objects in View, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more particularly set forth in the speciiication, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim and, although this disclosure depicts my present conception'of the invention, the right is reserved to resort to such departures therefrom as come within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a drum constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken approximately on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the tuning band per se.

1 Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a modified form of drum head clamp.

Fig. 7 is a similar View showing a saddle on the tuning band.

Fig, 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on line 8--8 of Fig. 2.

In the present illustration of this invention the numeral 5 designates, in general, a drum which, among other known elements, consists of a body portion 6 having a conventional head 'l secured over the upper end of the body portion as by rivets 'l' or the like.

Rotatably secured within the body portion at its upper end, as by stationary pins 8, is an annular tuning band 9 having a series of diagonally disposed slots Il] therein for reception of the inner portions of said pins 8.

Formed in the tuning band between certain of the aforesaid slots IU, is a diagonal slot Il having rack teeth I2 formed in its upper wall to accommodate a small gear I3 xed to the inner portion of a shaft I4 extending through the side of the body portion with its inner end journalled in a bracket I5 secured to the inner surface of the body portion and its outer portion extending through a plate I6 fastened to the outer surface of the body portion and provided with a suitable knob Il or the like.

Through the instrumentality of the aforesaid elements, tension on the drum head is increased or diminished by turning the knob Il to cause the gear I3 to rotate the tuning band on the stationary pins and thus exert the desired pressure against the drumI head adjacent its periphery, it being apparent that upward movement of the tuning band against the drum head will cause it to produce a high sharp tone while a downward movement of the tuning band will cause the drum head to produce a low dull tone. Of course it is understood sound between high and low may be obtained by manipulating the knob in the desired direction.

Said tuning band with tension thereagainst by the drum head is prevented from vibrating on the pins 8 or against the side of the body portion, therefore, the drum head always produces clear tones regardless of the tension thereagainst.

In that form of the drum head fastening means shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the peripheral portion A of the drum head is disposed between a ring B and the upper outer surface of the bodr portion and clamped by an annular ring C of substantially S-shape in cross section, resting on that portion of the head disposed on the upper end of the body portion and held in secure position around the body portion by a plurality of cleats D.

Although direct contact of the tuning band with the drum head does not damage the same, a saddle S formed of suitable material may be disposed on the upper edge of the tuning band as illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings.

With this invention fully described, it is manifest that means are provided whereby uniform pressure throughout the drum head is obtained by manually operating a single knob, key or the like and, through the instrumentality of the cooperating elements set forth, the tone of the drum can be regulated to meet the demands of the musician.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A drum comprising, a body portion, a head covering the upper end of the body portion with its peripheral portion disposed against the outer surface of the body portion, an annular ring of rectangular coniiguration in cross section disposed below the upper edge of the body portion of the drum and bearing against the peripheral portion of the head, an annular clamp of substantially S-shape in cross section resting on the upper edge of said rectangular ring with its upper portion overlying the upper edge of the body portion of the drum and bearing on that portion of the head therebeneath, a plurality of cleats having grooves in their upper inner sides receiving portions of the S-shaped clamp and rectangular ring, means securing the cleats to the body portion of the drum at points below the aforesaid ring a tuning band disposed within the drum with its upper edge bearing against that portion of the head adjacent the inner surface of the drum, means securing the tuning band to the inner surface of the body portion of the drum for rotary and perpendicular movement therein, a gear engaging rack teeth on the tuning band, a shaft secured to the gear and extending through the body portion of the drum, and a knob on the outer end of the shaft.

DELBERT E. HULL.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,061,244 Au-Miller Nov. 17, 1936 2,115,741 Newberry May 3, 1938 

